Weldless-link-chain-making machine.



0. A. LEWIS. WBLDLESS LINK CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. 1, 1910.

Patented May 2,'19111 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

TH: Nomzls versus ca. wAsHINmaN, p. c.

0. A. LEWIS. WHLDLESS LINK CHAI-N MAKING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1910.

990,996. Patented May 2, 1911'.

l{SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fue NoRRls PsrER's cu., WASHINGTON, D. c.

C. A. LEWIS.

WELDLESS LINK CHAIN MAKING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION TILBD MIIB. 1, 1910.A Patented 2,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Rs co wn smNawN. o. C.

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C. A. LEWIS.

WELDLBSS LINK GHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

APlLIoATIoN FILED MAR. 1, 1910.

990,996. Patented May 2, 1911.

' 4 BHEBTS-SHBET 4.

Illlll'llllllllllllllll CHARLES A. LEWIS,

0F DENVER, COLORADO.

WELDLESS-LINK-CHAIN-MAKING MACHINE.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado. have invented a new and useful W'eldless-Link-Chain-Making Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for forming weldless link chains.

The objects of the invention are to provide a machine of this character compris ing asuitable supporting structure mounted upon which are independent pairs ofcoperating dies which are adapted to stamp or press out connected individual weldless links from a metal bar which is cruciform in cross section and which is automatically fed between the dies by reciprocating mechanism which is adapted to push said bar the length of a link upon each alternate reciprocation, the movement of the bar being timed to alternate with the action of the dies; punches being provided to coperate with the dies for separating the adjoining ends of the links after they have been formed by the dies, said links being freed from each other at all points not otherwise affected by the die and punches by a breaking device which acts upon the links as the chain passes out of the rear end of the machine, the dies, punches and feeding mechanism being operated by cams which are geared together so as to cause the parts to act at the proper time relatively to each other. These objects are accomplished by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved chain making machine. Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof, the gearing and shafts being shown in dotted lines, 4and other parts being omitted for the sake of clearer illustration. Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views on the lines 5 5, 6 6 and 77 respectively of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a horizontal, sectional view through the rear end of the machine on the line 8 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the bar pushing mechanism, the same being shown in ay vertical position for the purpose of -clearer illustration, the pusher being retracted. Fig. l0 is a plan Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 1, 1910.

Patented May 2, 1911. Serial No. 546,583.

view partly in section showing the pusher at the limit of its forward movement. Fig. 11 is a vertical, sectional view thereof. Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of one of the slide blocks which carry the upper die. Fig. 13 is a horizontal, sectional view through one of the slide frames which carry the lower die. Figs. 14 and 15 are side views of one of the members which form a half part of one of the dies. Fig. 16 is an end view thereof. Fig. 17 is a central, vertical, sectional view through the same. Fig. 18- is a side view of a portion of one of the horizontally disposed punches, the opposite punch being similarly constructed. Fig. 19 is a side view of one of the vertically disposed punches, the opposite punch being similarly constructed. Fig. 20 is-an edge view of the same. Fig. 21 is a view of a section of the chain, after the links have been formed by the dies, but before they have been separated into individual connected links by the punches; and Fig. 22 is a sectional view through t-he chain on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21, showing the manner in which the punches act to separate the adjoining ends of the links.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numerals l and 2 indicate upright standards of suitable width, which are connected by a horizontal member 3, which is V- shaped in cross section. the sides of which incline at an angle of forty-five degrees, and the standards and horizontal member constitute a supporting structure for the various parts of the machine, the standards being bolted to a bench or other suitable support.

Adjacent to the ends of the horizontal member 3 are secured yoke shaped frames 5 and 7, which incline at an angle of fortylive degrees, and both extend in the same direct-ion. Midway between these frames and extending at right angles to them is secured a similar frame 6. The side members of these frames are of unequal length, as will be seen by reference to Figs. t, 5 and 6, and each member has formed in its inner face a slideway groove 8, a continuation of the groove of the short member of each frame being formed in the adjacent side of the horizontal member 3, as indicated by 9. The yoke frames 5, 6 and 7 carry rectangular slide frames 10, 11 and 12 respectively, which are provided with slides or feather keys 13, which are seated in the slideways 8 of said yoke frames.

1n the slide frames 11 and 12 are mounted slide blocks 14 and 15 respectively, the side edges of which are grooved, as shown at 16, Fig. 12, to receive corresponding slides or feather keys 17, formed on the adjacent faces of the slide frames. As the slide frames are closed at both ends, the slide blocks are provided on one side with removable strips or plates 18, which form one side of each groove 1G. These plates are removed to insert the blocks in the frames, after which they are secured to the blocks and thus hold them in sliding` engagement with the frames. Each block 14 and 15 has a recess 19 formed in its lower edge, and in each of these recesses is secured a pair of dies 2O and 21 respectively, each pair forming the incomplete outline of a link, a space or recess beingl left between each two dies corresponding to the diameter of the stock of the links, the purpose of which will be fully explained hereinafter. Each pair of dies is securely held in the recess 1.() by driving a key 22 between them, which clamps them against the side of the said recess.

For the sake of clearness, each pair of dies will henceforth be referred to as a single die, those in the block 14 being designated by the numeral 20, while those in the block 15 will be designated by the numeral 21.

In the lower ends of the frames 11 and 12 are secured pairs of dies 20A and 21A respectively, which are in line with and match the dies 2() and 21 respectively. These dies are spaced to correspond to their matching dies, and are heldfin the frames by keys 23. Each pair of dies 2()A and 21A will hereinafter be referred to as a single die and will be designated by the numerals 20,A and 21A.

Journaled in the upper portions of the standards 1 and 2 are shafts 24 and 25 and 26, which are provided on their forward ends with intermeshin'or O'ears 27 2S and 29. The

shaft 24 passes through the frame 11 and this shaft carries a cam 30, which is adapted to engage the upper edge of the die block 14, and the under side of the upper end of the frame 11. l/Vhen the opposite faces of the cam representing` its greatest diameter engage the frame 11 and block 14, the block is depressed to the limit of its downward movement while the frame is simultaneously lifted to the limit of its upward movement and the relative movements of the said block and frame are such that their respective dies 20 and 20A meet, and as the cam rotates the lower ends of the block and frame, with their respective dies, are forced apart by coil springs 31, which lie in recesses 29A, in the lower end of the block and bear against the upper ends of the blocks in which are formed the dies 20A. Thus the cam 30 forces the dies together, and the springs 31 separate them as the cam releases them.

1t is essential that the movement of the dies be sudden and not gradual, and for this reason the cam 30 is formed as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, so that there is practically no movement of the dies until the cam has turned to within a slight distance of the point when its highest portions begin to engage the frame and block. The said frame and block are also preferably formed with semi-circular, projecting faces 32 and respectively, which are engaged by the cam, and by thus reducing the bearing surfaces on the frame and block a more sudden movement is imparted to the dies than would otherwise be the case. The shaft 25 passes through the frame 12, and this shaft adjacent to its rear end carries a cam 34, which is a duplicate of the cam 30, and is adapted to operate the frame 12 and block 15, and as the operation of this frame and block is identical with that of the frame 11 and block 14 a separate description thereof is unnecessary. The cams 30 and 34 operate in unison, and the block 15 is formed with the recesses 29A, in which are held coil springs 35, which exert a counter pressure to the cani 34. The frame 12 and block 15 are also provided with the semi-circular bearing faces 32 and 33 respectively, which are engaged by the cam 34.

The forward portion of the shaft 25 also passes through the frame 10, and is provided with a cam 3G, which is adapted to engage the under side of the top portion of said frame, and the upper end of a slide block 37 mounted in said frame. This slide block is provided with slideways 16 in their side edges, one of the sides of each slideway 1G being formed by a removable plate 18, as in the blocks 14 and 15, and these slideways receive feather keys or slides 17, formed in the adjacent sides of the said frame 10. Thus the frame 10 has a sliding movement in the yoke frame 5, and the block 37 has a sliding movement in the frame 10, and the same is true of the frames 11 and 12 relatively to their supporting yoke frames G and 7 respectively and of the blocks 14 and 15 relatively to the frames 11 and 12.

The lower end of the block 37 is provided with a pair of depending ears 3S, to which are pivotally connected the upper ends of arms The lower ends of these arms are pivotally secured to the forward ends of a pair of arms 40, rollers 41 being interposed between the ends of the said arms 39 and 40, which rollers are mounted on the pins which connect the said arms. The rear ends of the arms 40 are pivotally connected to opposite sides of a sleeve 42, which forms a part of the feeding or pushing mechanism for the rod from which the chain is formed. Thisv sleeve is adapted to slide upon a tube 43, which is secured in an aperture in the standard 1 and the forward portion of the tube is bifuroated, as shown at 44. On opposite sides of the sleeve 42, and atpoints at right angles to the rear ends of the arms 40 project wings or plates 45, which extend slightly beyond the rear ends of the sleeve, and these wings are provided with slots or recesses in their rear edges, in which are pivotally mounted gripping dogs 46, the inner ends of which are chisel edged and are adapted to engage a cruciform metal bar 47, which is inserted in the tube 43 and is adapted to be fed intermittently between the sets of dies, as will be fully explained hereinafter. Recesses 48 are formed in the wings 45 from their rear edges, and beyond the pivots of the dogs, and spiral springs 49 are inclosed in these recesses, and exert a rearward pressure on the outer ends of the dogs, which causes their inner edges to engage the bar 47.

The rollers 41 bear and ride upon short tracks 50, which extend at right angles from the lower end of the frame 10, and when the cam 36 is rotated so thatits opposite and highest points -approach and engage the frame 10 and block 37 the said frame is forced up while the block is forced down and simultaneously the tracks 50 exert an upward pressure upon the rollers 41, while the block 37 through its pivotal connection with the arms 39 forces the upper ends of the said arms down. The lower ends of these arms are pivotally connected to the rollers and to the arms 40, which latter ,arms are pivoted to the sleeve 42, and the sleeve being limited to a horizontal movement by the tube 43, it follows that the opposite vertical pressures upon the said rollers and arms result in the horizontal movement of the sleeve upon the tube. The greatest diameter of the cam 36 is such that the length of the throw it imparts to the sleeve is equivalent to the length of a link as defined by the dies employed. As the sleeve is forced rearward, the dogs 46 grip and carry with them the bar 47. The cam 36 is so set relatively to the cams 30 and 34 that when the former is approaching the limit of its operative movement the latter cams are approaching the limit of their inoperative movement. Thus as the sleeve 42 moves rearward with the bar 47 the dies are open or apart to permit of the movement of said bar, but simultaneously with the reverse movement of the sleeve the dies engage the bar and the dogs 46 slide upon the same until the sleeve reaches the limit of its forward movement.

The slide block 37 is elevated and the frame 19 depressed by coil springs 51, which are secured to the said block and to the frame, and as a directhorizontal push is necessar,T to restore the sleeve or rod feeder to its initial position, the latter movement is accomplished by a coil spring 52, which is interposed between the rear end of the sleeve and a bracket 53, which is secured to one of the sides of the horizontal member 3 of the machine, the said bracket having an aperture to permit of the passage of the bar 47.

l` he shaft 26 passes through the standard 2, and adjacent to the rear side of said standard has secured thereon in any suitable manner a gear wheel 54 which meshes with similar gear wheels 55 and 56, which are mounted on stub shafts 57, which are screwed into the standard 2 on a horizontal line be low the wheel 54. These wheels mesh with a fourth gear wheel 58, which is also mounted on a stub shaft 59, similar to the shafts 57, and in vertical line with the shaft 26. rlhe centers of these gear wheels are equidistant from the center of an aperture 60 in the standard 2, which aperture is in axial line with the tube 43, upon which the sleeve 42 slides. Secured to the gear wheels 54, 55, 56 and 58 in any suit-able manner are cams 61, which are in all respects similar to the cams 30 and 34, and these cams are adapted to operate punches 62, which are supported in grooves or recesses 63 formed in a rectangular projection 64 on the rear side of the standard 2, the recesses 63 opening at their inner ends to the aperture 60.

The punches are held in the recesses against rearward movement by the four gear wheels above mentioned, and by a plate 65, which is secured to the projection 64 and which is provided with a central aperture 66 concentric with the aperture 60,

The punches are l'shaped, as shown in Fig. 7, and their stems terminate at the inner ends in reduced portions 67, which have V- shaped edges, and in these edges are formed semicircular grooves 68, as shown in Figs. 18, 19, 2O and 22, the metal between each two grooves being pointed to form a series of individual punches, which are adapted to separate the adjoining ends of the links, after the links have been formed b v the dies, as will be fully set forth hereinafter. The heads 69 at the outer ends of the punch stems rest upon coil springs 70, which are seated in apertures 71 in the sides of the projection 64. The springs exert upon the punches a counter pressure to the cams 61 and thus move the punches outward as the cam pressure upon them is relieved.

Upon the shaft 26, adjoining the gear wheel 54, is secured in any suitable manner a beveled pinion 72, which meshes with a beveled gear wheel 73, upon a shaft which is journaled in an inverted U-shaped plate 74 and in a bracket 75, to which the plate 7 4 is secured, the bracket comprising a horizontal member and depending members, which latter are bolted to the standard 2. The shaft upon which the wheel 73 is mounted carries a pair of gear wheels 7G, which lie between the plate 7 4 and the bracket 75, and between these two wheels the shaft is provided with two adjoining V-shaped annular grooves, and this grooved portion of the shaft constitutes a chain breaking roll. 77. The gear wheels 76 mesh with a similar pair of gear wheels 7S, and these latter wheels mesh with similar wheels 79, which are in direct line with the wheels 7G, and with the aperture GO in the standard 2. The wheels 7S and 79 are mounted on shafts, which are mounted in the pl-ate 74 and bracket 75 and which are grooved to form breaking rolls 8O and 81 respectively, which coperatie with each other and with the roll 77 to break the links at all points where they may still be united after being acted upon by the punches.

The bar 47, from which the links are formed, is cruciform in cross section and of an outline that would be obtained by placing four squares of equal size against the four sides of a fifth square of the same size. The forming faces of the dies are semi-circular in cross section, so that each pair forms an incomplete link, the stock of which is round in cross section, the link being pressed or stamped out by the dies and not cut out.

The longitudinal space or recess between the two parts of each die of one pair of dies receives the wing of the bar acted upon by the other set of dies; in other words, the recess between the parts of the dies Q0 and 90"* receives the wing of the bar, from which links are formed by the dies 21 and 21A, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 5 and G.

The links formed by each pair of dies are complete, except at the connecting or bearing points 82 of each pair of links and at the points 83 between the opposing` ends of two links, (as will be seen by reference to Fig. 21, and at these points the separation is made by the punches 62, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 22.

The semi-circular recesses in the operating ends of the punches correspond to the curvature of the body portions of the links, and these recessed portions are beveled on the sides which engage the abutting ends of two links, as would appear if in imagination the punch shown in Fig. 1f) were placed vertically upon the chain shown in Fig. Q1, its pointed ends touching the chain at the points indicated by the dotted lines thereon.

The oppositely arranged vertically disposed punehes are interchangeable and are formed as shown in Fig. 19. The oppositely arranged horizontally disposed punches are also interchangeable and are formed as shown in Fig. 18. The punches are thus beveled when they are designed to engage the chain at points indicated by the dotted lines thereon, but they would be differently beveled if designed to engage the chain at other points, as will be apparent.

The operation of the improved machine is as follows: The bar 47 is heated to the required degree and inserted in the tube 43 until it is engaged by grippers 46. The machine is then set in operation through the connection of the shaft 26 with any suitable source of power. The cam 36 depresses the slide block 37, which through its connection with the arms 3S) forces the sleeve 42 rearward, thereby advancing the bar a distance corresponding to the length of a link as defined by the dies. The bar is thus fed between the rst set of dies 20 and 20A and successive incomplete links are formed in one wing of the bar until it passes in between the second set of dies 21 and 21A, which are arranged to form links from the other wing of the bar, the bar being fed through the machine with its wings standing at opposing angles of forty-live degrees. The frame I is so positioned relatively to the frame G that when the bar passes between the dies 21 and 21A the links formed by these dies will be in the proper' position relatively to the links formed by the other dies. After the operation of the second pair of dies the links are formed and are separated' one from the other, excepting at the points 82 and 83. Fig. 21, where they are still united; but as the bar passes between the punches G2 these connecting points are obliterated and the bar is practically separated into individual links. After the action of the punches the chain is still stit1 and requires to be broken so that the links will turn easily one upon the other, and this is accomplished by the breaking rolls in the following manner: The first link engages the roll S1 and is deflected by the rotation of the said roll to the side upon which the roll 8O is located; it is caught by this roll and deflected in the opposite direction, only to be again deflected by the roll 77. In this manner the links are completely separated at all points of engagement and the chain after leaving the breaking rolls is complete.

The machine is practical, positive in operation and adapted to produce a given length of chain at an expenditure of far less time and expense than is possible under the methods at present employed.

Having described the invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a weldless link chain making machine specitied; a support; a pair of guide frames mounted in said support at right angles to each other; frames slidably mounted in the guide frames; blocks slidably mounted in the slide frames; dies in said slide frames and dies in said slide blocks adapted to match the dies in said frames, the pairs of matching dies being adapted to form incomplete connected links from the opposite wings of a cruciform metal bar; punches for severing the adjoining links from each other at their ends; cams for sliding the coperating die holding frames and blocks relatively to each other to produce a link forming operation; cams for operating said punches; springs for eiiecting the reverse movement ot the dies and punches; gripping devices for feeding a bar step by step between said dies alternately with the link forming operation of said dies; and a cam for operating said gripping device.

2. In a weldless link chain making machine as specified, the combination with a support of a pair of guide frames secured to said support at right angles to each other; frames slidably mounted in the guide trames and dies in the lower ends of said frames; blocks slidably mounted in the slide frames, and dies in said blocks adapted to match the dies in said slide trames; said pairs of dies being adapted to form incomplete connected links from the opposite wings of a cruciform metal bar; a third guide frame upon the support; a slide frame therein, and a block slidably mounted in said slide frame; cams located between the upper ends of said slide frames and blocks for drawing their lower ends toward each other; springs for eiiecting the reverse movement of said frames and blocks; a feeding device connected with said third slide frame and block for moving a bar step by step between said dies; punches for severing the adjoining links from each other at their ends after they have been formed by the dies; cams for operating said punches and springs for effecting their reverse movement.

3. In a weldless link chain making machine; the combination with two pairs of dies arranged to form incomplete connected links from opposite wings of a cruciform metal bar and means for operating said dies; of mechanism for intermittently feeding a bar between said links, comprising two members in sliding engagement with each other; a fixed tubular slideway; a gripper mounted on said slideway; arms pivotally attached to the gripper; arms pivotally attached to one of the slidable members; a pin connecting the opposite ends of said arms; rollers on said pins between the adjoining ends of said arms, and projections on the other slidable member for engaging said roller; means for sliding said members upon each other, whereby opposite pressures are brought against said rollers and the ends of said arms in pivotal engagement with one of the sliding members; resulting in a horizontal movement of the gripper on its slideway, the chain bar being drawn through said slideway by said gripper; means Jfor reversing the gripper; and means for severing the adjoining links from each other at their ends.

4. In a weldless link chain making machine as specified; the combination with dies adapted to form incomplete connected links from the opposite wings of a cruciiiorm bar; means for operating said dies, and punches for severing the adjoining links from each other at their ends; of a slidable grip for intermittently moving a bar between said dies, comprising a tubular slideway adapted to receive a bar; a sleeve mounted on the slideway; spring operated dogs pivotally connected to the sleeve and adapted to engage the bar with their inner ends; and means for reciprocating the sleeve.

In a weldless link chain making machine as specified, the combination with a support; pairs of dies upon said support arranged at right angles to each other and adapted to form incomplete connected links trom o-pposite wings of a crucitorm metal bar; means for operating said dies and punches for severing the adjoining links from each other at their ends; of means for intermittently feeding a bar between said dies and punches, comprising a tubular slideway secured in one end of the support through which the bar is passed; a sleeve mounted on the slideway; spring actuated dogs pivotally attached to the sleeve and adapted to grip the bar with their inner ends; a guide frame on the support; a frame slidably mounted in the guide frame having projections at right angles to its lower end; a block slidably mounted in the slide frame; arms pivotally secured to the sleeve; arms pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the first arms and to the block; rollers mounted on the pins which connect said arms and adapted to rest on the projections of said slide frame; and a cam between the upper ends of the slide frame and block adapted to depress the block and raise the frame; whereby opposite pressures are exerted upon the rollers and upon the arms pivotally connected to the block; resulting in the horizontal movement of the sleeve upon the tubular guideway, and springs for eecting the opposite movement of the sleeve and of the slide frame and block.

6. In a weldless link chain making machine as specied, a support comprising standards having holes in axial line and connected by a horizontal member; guide :trames upon the horizontal member at right angles to each other; frames slidably mounted in the guide frames and blocks slidably mounted in the slide trames; coperating dies carried by the engaging slides and blocks adapted to form incomplete connected links from opposite wings of a cruciform bar of metal; punches mounted upon the rear end of the support for severing the adjoining links at their ends; a third guide frame in line with one of the other frames; a slide frame therein and a block slidably mounted in the said slide frame; shafts mounted in the standards and extending between the upper ends of the slide frames and slide blocks; cams on said shafts for engaging said frames and blocks; a driving shaft mounted in the standards; intermeshing gears on the forward. ends of said shafts; a cam on said driving shaft in engagement with one of the punches; stub shafts upon the rear standard; cams on the stub shafts in engagement with the other punches and intermeshing gears on said stub shafts and drive shaft; a chain bar feeding device; and means connecting said device with the said third slide frame and block, whereby the feeding device moves the bar intermittently between the dies and through the axially alined holes in the standards.

7. In a weldless link chain making machine as specified; a support; pairs of co operating dies mounted on said support and adapted to form incomplete connected links from the opposite wings of a cruciform bar; punches for severing the links from each other at points not affected by the dies; means for feeding a bar intermittently between said dies and punches; shafts having cams for operating said dies and feeding means; a drive shaft and intermeshing gears on said drive shaft and cam shafts; a cam on the drive shaft for operating one of said punches; stub shafts on the support having cams for operating the other punches and intermeshing gears on said drive shaft and said stub shafts; a platform on the support; breaking rolls mounted on said platform in position to engage the chain as it passes from the punches; intermeshing gears on the breaking rolls; and gearing connecting one of said rolls with the drive shaft.

8. In a weldless link chain making machine as specified; the combination with a series of dies and punches adapted to form connected chain links from a metal bar cruciform in cross section; of means for intermittently feeding a bar between said dies and punches, comprising a block and slide frame in sliding engagement with each other and a guide for the slide frame; arms pivotally connected to the lower end of the block; a fixed tubular slideway through which a chain bar is inserted; a sleeve slidably mounted on said slideway having spring operated dogs adapted to grip the bar; arms pivotally connected to the sleeve and to the arm carried by the block; and rollers on the pivots connecting the two pairs of arms; right angled projections on the lower end of the slide frame for engaging said rollers; a cam located between the upper ends of the slide frame and block foi drawing their lower ends toward each other, whereby opposite vertical pressures are brought against the rollers and the arms connected with the block, which results in the horizontal movement of the sleeve upon its slideway; springs for reversing the movements of the slide and block; and a spring for reversing the movement of the sleeve.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. LEWIS.

itnesses Gr. SARGENT ELLIOTT, ADELLA M. FowLn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

